Fresh start for Chukwuemeka: how he's thriving at BVB | OneFootball

After his bold move to BVB, Carney Chukwuemeka is visibly flourishing in Dortmund. Now, the 22-year-old speaks openly about his development and the reasons for his fresh start abroad.

Carney Chukwuemeka is currently experiencing a remarkable upswing at Borussia Dortmund. The midfielder, who initially joined on loan from FC Chelsea and was permanently signed for around 20 million euros just before the end of the transfer period, has become an integral part of the team after some challenging weeks.

The Englishman speaks candidly about why he took the step into the Bundesliga—and why he doesn't regret it at all. "I had no doubts about going abroad," Chukwuemeka said in retrospect to club media. The move to Dortmund was a conscious decision for him to fully focus on his career. "I'm quite independent. In Dortmund, I just wanted to concentrate on football and block everything else out."

This focus is now bearing visible fruit. After initial fitness problems, Chukwuemeka worked his way into the starting lineup through substitute appearances and is increasingly convincing with improved performances. In the Bundesliga, he scored during the 1-1 draw in Hamburg for the first time this season—a further step forward for the 22-year-old, who had already scored in the Champions League against Athletic Bilbao and provided an assist in Copenhagen.

Kovac with a clear demand for BVB star Chukwuemeka

Chukwuemeka is also making progress internally, especially in areas that were not previously his strengths. Coach Niko Kovac demands more work against the ball from the technically strong Englishman. The coach made it clear to him that a modern midfielder must contribute defensively and "start with the pressing." Chukwuemeka takes these words to heart: "I think it will be important for me to show that more often, to do more running work and focus on this part of the game."

Particularly emotional for him remains his goal in the 4-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao: "It was an incredible feeling. That was a real boost for me," the BVB professional recalled.

Carney Chukwuemeka has evidently arrived—both sportingly and mentally. His words and performances show that the bold step away from Chelsea and into a new league was exactly the right one. Now he wants to continue proving what he's capable of.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.